How To Meet Locals In Berlin

How To Meet Locals In Berlin

/in /by

Germans are often stereotyped to be cold and stern and the natives of Berlin may seem to be no exception. However you should not allow such preconceived notions to deter you from meeting and interacting with the locals during your visit to Berlin.

In fact, you may find them to be friendly and helpful people so keep an open mind and be proactive! Here are some tips to consider if you wish to meet locals in Berlin.

1. Explore Berlin with a local

Keen to meet locals and avoid the usual tourist hotspots? Make a booking with a Local on My Plus One, an online platform that helps to connect travellers with like-minded locals in a city. By exploring with a Local in Berlin, you will gain insight into the everyday lives of locals, their favourite haunts as well as the city’s hidden gems. The Local you book may even bring you to meet their friends, giving you the opportunity to meet and interact with more locals!

The My Plus One team has met every Local on their platform so you can be assured that the Local will offer an authentic Berlin experience.

2. Stay with the locals

Complement your exploration of Berlin with a Local by staying in the home of a local. This will give you a direct opportunity to meet the natives of Berlin as opposed to a hotel-stay and experience life as a local. Your host may also share with you insights on Berlin and offer recommendations on places to visit, dine and meet other locals.

Book a stay in the home of a local in Berlin through online platforms such as Airbnb or Couchsurfing.

3. Learn conversational German

You do not have to be proficient at speaking German in order to meet locals in Berlin but it will certainly be helpful if you know some conversational German. The locals you encounter during your visit to Berlin, not to mention your host family or Local guide, will appreciate that you are making the effort to communicate with them in their native language and be more inclined to interact with you.

Online resources such as Duolingo and deutsch-lernen offer guidance on the basics of language at no cost.

4. Travel at off-peak periods

The off-peak travel season, at least for Berlin, is typically between January and February, which comes after the festive season and where daylight hours are considerably shorter as compared to summer. With fewer tourists around, you will be more likely to meet locals at the cafeterias or on public transport.

The locals are generally more welcoming of visitors when they are not surrounded by hoards of them, which also makes meeting and interacting with them easier too.

5. Hang out at cafes frequented by locals

A place that is frequented by the locals will give you plenty of opportunities to meet them during your visit to Berlin. In order to meet locals at their favourite haunts, it is perhaps ideal to pick cafes which have a relaxed and carefree ambience, such as Barcomi’s Deli and Cuccuma, for it is likely that local patrons are also in a leisurely mood and thus more willing to interact with you. You just need to be confident and make the first step!

6. Dine with the locals at their homes

Besides exploring the city and staying with locals, dining in their homes presents another opportunity to meet them! Why not book a BonAppetour dining experience with one of our hosts in Berlin? They will be happy to share with you more about the cuisine they have to offer and should you have any dietary needs or preferences, feel free to mention them when booking and our hosts can customise the menu accordingly to ensure you have an enjoyable dining experience.

Image Credits: 1|2|3|4|5

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Top Romantic Restaurants in Brussels

/in /by

Top Romantic Restaurants in Brussels

1. Dining with locals via BonAppetour

If you want a more exclusive and customized experience with your loved ones, why not eat with locals in Brussels at BonAppetour? Much more intimate than a restaurant, you can enjoy a Waffle making class in Brussels, or arrange a private dining experience with our friendly hosts with authentic Belgian foods.

 

2. Le Wine Bar du Sablon des Marolles

This fine dining restaurant not only serves good food but also has an affordable menu. Their dishes have a price range of 24 euros to 78 euros. They have a carefully selected list of good wines to choose from. Located in a 17th century house with decorations reminiscent of the era, it is the perfect place to stop for dinner after a morning of shopping at the famous Broncante market in the Jeu de Balles. Their starters, ranging from 8 euros to 10 euros, are ideal for sharing with your loved ones. Main courses include the chicken liver pate, smoked Morteau suasage with Puy lentils or braised beef in red wine. Their fish dish changes daily according to what's good in the market. End of your romantic meal with some cheese and a glass of wine.

2. Le Chou de Bruxelles

If you are in Brussels, mussels are the number one food that you should not miss out. Bring your other half to this restaurant to sample authentic Belgian Moules and other dishes. They have a massive menu of 30 different variations of mussels. If you are overwhelmed by the choices, you can order Mussels of the Chef which are cooked with vegetables, garlic, white wine and cream.

3. Le Passage

This Michelin starred restaurant is the one to  impress your other half. The minute you walk into Le Passage, you will know you are going to be satisfied with the restuarant. Their yellow lights give the restaurant a golden hue. Coupled with impeccable service and food worthy of the michelin star, your date will be impressed.

4. Pasta Divina

This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Brussels. Their pastas are shockingly fresh, cooked only with the freshest of ingredients and have a great taste. Their pasta are homemade and the meat and salmon used are first grade. From the outside, if may not look like a restaurant that can impress your other half, but as you enter, the decorations and cozy atmosphere is great for an evening of chit chat over good italian food.

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Why Cocktail Lovers Should Head to Perth

/in /by

Why Cocktail Lovers Should Head to Perth

We all know that Australians are no strangers to an alcoholic beverage or two, so when you find yourself in Oz you should do as Aussies do! If cocktail bars are your thing then Perth should be your next destination down-under so you can enjoy a Pina Colada under sunny skies. Here are some great reasons/excuses that cocktail bars make Perth a must-visit.

To Feel Like a Local

A night out in Perth will introduce you to all the locals who frequent famous Aussie bars. You can discuss the best things to do in Perth while you sip your minty mojito. At bars like Gramercy the staff even claim they know their regulars by name!
 

To Experience Something Different

The Times actually named Perth as “Hipster Heaven” in 2014 thanks in part to the slew of quirky cocktail bars that come in all shapes and sizes in Perth, including a bar made to look like a classroom for a back-to-school vibe. Thanks to the sun-drenched climate Australia offers you can make the most of drinking indoors as well as outdoors or in rooftop bars too. The growing number of cocktail bars in Perth mean there is more competition to serve the best beverages in a unique way for a great price- which is great news for customers!

To See the Skilled Bartenders

A great reason to visit a cocktail bar (or two) during your visit to Perth is to witness the trained bartenders in action! Sam Bygrave, editor of Australian Bartender is a regular to Perth because “Perth bartenders have to work harder than bartenders in the rest of the country because they’re so far away,” Bygrave says. “They put in the hard yards to cross the continent and go visit the best bars in Melbourne and Sydney, then they take the knowledge they get there and bring it back to Perth. The scene’s come on in leaps and bounds.”

 

To Taste the Specialist Spirits.

As with many cities worldwide, cocktail bars in Perth are choosing to specialise in single spirits, from whimsical whisky bars  to vodka-centric speakeasys. These bars are set apart from the rest thanks to their niche cocktail offerings. You can have confidence in the quality of the alcohol on offer and in the great night ahead!  

The local cocktail bar scene in Perth easily equals any you would find in a major metropolis like London or New York, but with the added benefit of Australia’s celebrated weather and friendly locals.

 

Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Tips for first-time backpackers

/in /by

Tips for first-time backpackers

Backpacking is certainly not for the faint-hearted. You need to be prepared to rough it out, allow for flexibility, keep a close watch on your budget and make do with little or even no comforts. But backpacking is also unlike any other travel experience – besides the sights that you see, you will also learn to appreciate the little comforts you enjoy in life and make do with less while building up confidence and resilience. 

If you have decided to take that leap of faith and try out backpacking, here are some tips that you will find helpful!

1. Get a good backpack

Your backpack will be sticking with you for the entire duration of your trip and is likely to be the only bag that you carry. It is only fair that you get a good quality backpack. An ideal backpack should be water resistant to withstand wet weather, have multiple compartments for you to organise your belongings and have two zippers so that you can lock your bag up. It should also have an internal frame and padded shoulder and hip straps. 

The size of the backpack to carry largely depends on your body size – it should be large enough to able to fit the items that you need but not so large that it will weigh you down or even cause injury. That said, you should not carry a backpack that is too small as it may not be able to contain the items that you need.  

2. Pack only what you need 

Your packing list is largely dependent on the destination you will be heading to. That said, you should leave items such as jewellery, perfumes and even your laptops behind – such items are non-essentials when it comes to backpacking. Do check the weather conditions of your destination as well as the accommodation you are staying in before deciding which items of clothing to bring. If you will be able to wash your clothes, you can afford to bring less otherwise, pack enough clothing to last you the entire duration of your trip. 

Besides clothing, you should also bring enough toiletries and medication as you may not be able to get them easily on the go. You should also bring along snacks as you are likely to get hungry along the way.

3. Plan ahead but allow for changes

Backpacking involves spontaneity and flexibility but that does not mean you do not have to plan ahead. For first-timers, you should book your lodging and transportation in advance so that you can have peace of mind that you have a place to stay and you can get from one place to another. You can also plan which sites you would like to visit during your travels but do allow for flexibility on that front – you may well spend more time than you expect at a particular spot. It is also a good idea to have backup plans so that even when faced with unforeseen circumstances, you will not be at a lost. 

4. Photocopies of important documents

In the event that anything goes missing, photocopies of essential travel items such as your passport and accommodation booking will come in helpful. Do keep your backup copies separately from the original.

5. Go off the beaten path

Avoid the touristy spots – thieves often lurk around such areas and tourists are an easy target. You will only stand out with your backpack and catch their attention so do not put yourself through unnecessary danger. Do your research – find out what are some of the hidden gems in your destination and consider exploring such places instead. Be prepared that you may not be able to cover all the 'hidden' places that you may want to visit – it is only part and parcel of backpacking!

6. Bring sufficient cash and monitor your spending

While you should refrain from bringing a large amount of cash, ensure that you have enough to last you the duration of your backpacking adventure. Card payments are not always accepted, particularly in remote locations. Besides, it is easier to keep track of your spending with cash so if it helps, bring an amount that you deem sufficient and try to make it last for the entire duration. Remember that backpacking is not luxury travel.  

Image Credits: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7

[icegram campaigns=”612″]